Week 3 - The Moral Agent & Dilemmas PDF

The Foundation s of Morality Chapter 2: The Moral Agent & Learning Outcomes  Discuss the effects of culture on the moral behavior of the people;  Define cultural relativism and explain its moral principles;  Justify the importance of cultural relativism in making moral decisions;  Id...

The Foundation s of Morality Chapter 2: The Moral Agent & Learning Outcomes  Discuss the effects of culture on the moral behavior of the people;  Define cultural relativism and explain its moral principles;  Justify the importance of cultural relativism in making moral decisions;  Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the Filipino character. The Moral Agent The morality of one’s action will be based on the morality of the agent acting in a particular situation. An action can be considered moral or immoral depending on the decision of the person acting on it. There are also cases when a particular situation will produce two results: one good and one evil. But not to do any action on the said situation will also produce an evil effect. This situation is what is called dilemma. The Moral Agent The importance of studying dilemma lies on its rhetorical implication. From the ethical viewpoint, dilemmas are experiences where an agent is confused about the right decision to make because there are several competing values that are seemingly equally important and urgent. (Ex.: Teacher’s dilemma) How should a person handle a dilemma? How he makes decision on a dilemma will become the basis of how he is living his life. The study of ethics should not only be focused on a mere acquisition of knowledge but on how to apply such knowledge into his own everyday life. The Moral Agent A moral standard is that which deals with matters that may seriously injure or may greatly benefit human beings. If there are situations that will be beneficial to more people, then the action will be considered morally good. However, if it will cause greater pain, then it is considered to be morally evil. Therefore, the validity of moral standards will be based on the justification of one’s action. Hence, an action is considered to be moral not because it is accepted by the majority but on the goodness that such action would entail to other people. The Moral Agent Nevertheless, accountability will depend on the moral formation and the cultural beliefs and practices that the person has. The basis of morality, therefore, is biased to one’s cultural and moral behavior. Such cultural and moral behavior will affect one’s decision as regards the practicality and the morality of an act. However, practicality and morality do not always go together. Let us consider an example: Cultural and Moral Behavior1. How does culture shape moral behaviour? 2. Why should culture not be the ultimate determinant of values? 3. Is there a Filipino understanding of right or wrong? Why this interpretations? What are its influences? We have to be aware that we are embedded in our culture. However, this does not mean that all cultures are correct. Cultural and Moral Behavior might influence the way a person There are different sources that behaves morally. These includes: – Our family, the community we belong, the religion we practice, our school, and even the virtual world – the social media (pop culture) Cultural Relativism The view that ethical systems and cultural beliefs vary from one culture to another. It also upheld the idea that moral standards are product of society. Protagoras of Abdera (490-420) He was known primarily for his 3 claims: 1. That man is the measure of all things; 2. That he could make the worse argument appear better or the weaker appear to be stronger; and 3. That one could not tell if gods existed or not. There is no standard for testing whether Cultural Relativism In ethics, the idea of universal truth is a myth. To say that a custom is correct or incorrect would imply that we can judge that custom by some independent standard of right and wrong. But no such standard exists. Every standard is culture-bound. Cultural relativism challenges our belief in the objectivity and universality of moral truth. “There are no universal or absolute moral principle. Standards of right or wrong are always relative to a The Doctrine of Ethical  Examples: Relativism  Arctic Eskimos – practice of letting their wife sleep with a special guest for a night is considered as an expression of hospitality and respect. Also, had the practice of leaving their old folk in the snow and allowed them to die of starvation.  Jews – it was a moral obligation to marry his brother’s widow.  Africa – to kill twins at birth is morally just and right.  America – abortion is legal.  Ethical Relativism is open to serious doubt and does not seem to be correct in all cases. The Filipino Morality  Ethnocentrism – opposite of relativism; ethnic group’s system of beliefs and values is morally superior to all others; man-centered (ethnos + center)  Theocentrism – God-centered (theos + center); the view that God’s system of beliefs and values is morally superior to all others. God’s law is the absolute standard.  Both of them contradict cultural relativism because the latter denies universal moral standard.  Just like other nation, Filipinos believe that the Filipino Culture is the best culture because it is centered on God and it upholds the dignity of the nation. The Filipino Morality Edsa Revolution – Feb 25, 1986 (a moral recovery program) as a primary consideration for saying that the Filipino culture is superior. The events at EDSA not only ousted a dictator but also demonstrated to the world and to ourselves, our great strengths as a people. Today, we realize that most of our problems as a nation still remain. Ousting a dictator is an easy part. The difficult part is the task of building a nation. Self-interests and disregarding of common good are becoming too ordinary. The Filipino Morality The Filipino Morality THE PHILIPPINES: A NATION OF MISGUIDED MORALS Fr. Vitaliano Gorospe, SJ, believed that the problem in the morality of the Filipino is the consideration of the actual and the prevailing norms of right and wrong among Filipinos. Edmund Burke: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Many Filipinos don’t only condition themselves to NOT act against evil but to also NOT care about it when it is staring at them in the face. For many Filipinos: Discipline = Strict Rules = Evil. The Filipino Morality THE PHILIPPINES: A NATION OF MISGUIDED MORALS Philippines is home to both religious and non-religious people, as well as those who are in between. What do we do now? The idea of good must be placed into action if we want to put a decisive and end to evil and corruption. It important to review the Filipino character and eventually make use of these positive characters as basis of moral decisions. Strengths of the Filipino Character 1. Pakikipagkapwa-tao 2. Family oriented 3. Diff sense and perception of joy and humor 4. Flexible, adaptable, creative 5. Hard work and industrious 6. Very religious 7. Have great ability to survive Question to reflect Is it necessary to do something in order to uphold morality? Why or why not?